Roach: Excess yeast growth can occur at many body sites

Dear Dr. Roach: I am a 63-year-old woman who has always carried extra weight, but I have gained a few more pounds in the past year. I am overweight but not obese. I have been having a problem with my navel, and have been told that it is a yeast infection. I was given medication and was told to use it every day forever! Is there no way to decrease the amount of yeast a body produces? I also get it under my breasts when it gets hot and humid in summer and anytime I take an antibiotic. — P.R.

Dr. Roach: Your body doesn't produce yeast, any more than it produces the bacteria that normally live on your skin. However, some people are more likely to have excess growth of the yeast that is present in many people. Yeast like to grow where it is warm and moist, so anyplace the skin folds the axilla, groin, abdominal folds and under the breasts is a common place for yeast to grow, causing discoloration and itching. This goes by the medical name of intertrigo. Bacteria and yeast live together, so when an antibiotic kills bacteria, yeast often increases, both on the skin and in the mouth thrush or vagina "yeast infection." There are medical conditions that can increase this risk, especially diabetes, but also conditions that depress the immune system, such as treatment with chemotherapy or an HIV infection. I recommend being tested for diabetes if you have recurrent yeast infections. Rather than taking medication forever, there are ways to reduce yeast growth. Keep the skin dry by wearing appropriate clothing and using antiperspirants which can indeed be applied under the breasts or powder, such as cornstarch. This may solve the problem. Although there are conflicting reports about aluminum-based antiperspirants and breast cancer, the National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have said there is no conclusive evidence of this. On the other hand, using talcum powder in the groin has been associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Losing weight also may help, though I realize that is about the most difficult thing we doctors ask people to do. Many people feel that a diet low in sugar and processed grains, and made with yeast helps the rash. Studies have not confirmed this, but I believe in a low-sugar, low-processed-grain diet in any event.

Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGood­Health@med.cornell.edu or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Health newsletters may be ordered from www.rbmamall.com.

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